Ever heard the phrase 'long in the tooth' associated with older folks? Turns out, there's a reason for that phrase being associated with older people. As you get older, your teeth can start to look a bit bigger. But why? Can you restore your teeth to the way that they used to look? The short answer is yes, there's something you can do about it. Keep reading to find out more about what's going on and what solutions exist.
Receding Gums
The appearance of larger teeth is actually a bit of an illusion. Nothing is happening to your teeth themselves; it's the gums that are at fault here.
Gums can recede, which means that they pull back from the tooth. When this happens, more of the tooth is exposed, which makes it appear larger or longer. Unfortunately, that's not all that happens. The more tooth is exposed, the larger the risk of you developing cavities, as the part of the tooth that's normally hidden lacks enamel. This means that you have a cosmetic problem and a functional one, too.
Causes
Receding gums can happen for a variety of reasons, like gum disease. However, many older people develop receding gums naturally. There's not necessarily one leading cause for it; simply brushing your teeth and chewing on a daily basis can cause gums to gradually recede over many, many years' worth of time.
What to Do About It
If you're tired of the way that your teeth look and don't like them being associated with aging, here's what you can do about it.
First off, get yourself to a cosmetic dentist. They're pros at fixing cosmetic problems with teeth and gums and can help you with your issue.
Your cosmetic dentist will take a look at your gums to first determine if they're healthy. If they aren't, they'll help you with this first — cosmetic dentists are, after all, regular dentists with extra training, so they can do everything that your traditional dentist can.
From there, a gum graft procedure will be arranged. This is a procedure where a small sliver of tissue is taken from the roof of your mouth and grafted, or surgically attached, to the edge of your gums. This tissue is integrated into the gums and they gradually become one seamless piece, extending the length of your gums and protecting your teeth from further damage. In one simple procedure you can quickly regain your former appearance and lose any functional defects caused by your gums receding, too.
For more information, contact companies such as The Smile Architects.
Share20 March 2020
Do you care for your teeth like you should? Most people brush their teeth, but so many people rush through this process and are not as careful as they should be. Still others avoid flossing. A lack of dental care over the years can lead to increased decay. Thankfully, we have dentists who can treat decay with fillings, crowns, and in some cases, root canals. Dentists also provide preventative care. They can clean your teeth and use things like fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel. The more you know about dental care, the better you'll be able to care for your mouth, so feel free to read some of the articles on this website.